Structural block



April 30, 1940. .1. J. O'LEARY STRUCTURAL BLOCK Filed Oct. 27, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JO'Lacay K W ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30,1940 7Jeremiah J. OLeary, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application October 27, 1938, Serial No. 237,289

14 Claims.

This invention relates to structural blocks and, although notnecessarily limited to. is concerned primarily with a block of cellularconstruction.

One object of the invention is. to provide a block which isweather-proof and which has high heat insulating properties.

A still further object is a block which is soconstructed that the innerface may-have a finishing surface such as, for example, paint pr plasterapplieddirectly to it and thereby avoid the necessity of furring, thisobject contemplating a cellular arrangement which will providea passagefor the circulation of air and the drainage of any water which may seepinto or condense in the block. p

A still further object is to provide'a block which is so reinforced asto enable the construction of walls which, with respect to a particularthickness, have high strength factors.

A still further object is a block which may be mechanically connectedwith theadjacent blocks in a wall in such a manner that expansion andcontraction of the wall is permitted under changing weather conditionswithout the'formation of cracks or widening of the joints.

wall constructed from blocks embodying the features of the invention.

Figures 2 'and'3 are perspective views of one of the blocks.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hat of insulating material whichis arranged in the inner cell of the block. 1

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the wall and is taken alonglineS-S of Figure l.

Figure 6 is a vertical section takenalong line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7- is a longitudinal section taken along line 1-1 of Figure 5.

The block, whichis molded, may be formed of any suitable composition andthe inner and outer faces, indicated at It and II, respectively, may

be finished in any desired manner. As illustrated, I

size. longitudinally extending ribs l3 and M are formed on the top ofthe block while similarly spaced grooves l5 and I6 are formed on thebottom, one end of the rib l3 connecting with a vertical rib l1 formedonone end of the block while the opposite end of the rib ll connects withv a vertical rib l8 formed on the opposite end of the block. In a likemanner one end of the groove l5 connects with a vertical groove l9formed in one end of the block while the opposite end of the groove l6connects with a similar groove 20 formed in the opposite end of theblock. It will be apparent, therefore, that while two ribs are formed onthe top of the block and two grooves on the bottom, each end is formedwith one rib and one groove, the block being so formed that each of theribs I3 and I4 connects with a vertical rib at one end of the block anda vertical groove at the opposite end. It is understood, of course, thatthe grooves on the under side of the block are adapted to accommodateadjacent portions of the ribs on the upper side of two lower blocks, thearrangement of the ribs. and grooves in the manner described having theadvantage that they will match while permitting end for 22 which isembedded in and arranged crosswise of the block midway between its ends.Sockets 23 are formed in the vertical ribs l1 and I8 of the block toaccommodate the prongs of the upper blocks, the said sockets preferablybeing reinforced by metal sleeves ,24. Referring to Figure 5, it will benoted that (with respect to each joint) a vertical rib ll of one blockfits in a vertical groove IQ of an adjacent block while a rib l8 of thelatter fits in a groove 20 of the former. when a block in the nextcourse is laid upon these two blocks in the manner described, one of theprongs 2| will enter a socket in one of the blocks while the other willenter a socket in the other of the blocks. A Each upper block,therefore, is mechanically con nected to each of the two lower blocks.Preferably the prongs 2| are smaller in diameter than made in thismanner for movement of a predetermined magnitude between adjacentblocks. As the wall expands or contracts, therefore, the maximummovement of each block is predetermined and is so limited as to preventthe formation of cracks or excessive widening of the joints, the latterpreferably being sealed with mortar 25 in conventional manner. Eachblock is permitted to move in the manner described. Hence, althoughmovement of the individual blocks is limited, ample provision is made,considering the wall as a whole, for such expansion or contraction asmay take place.

The U-shaped member 22 ties together the web and'front and rear walls ofthe block. As a result of this and the connection of the blocks by theprongs of the members 22, a wall of great strength is insured. Theconstructiondescribed, therefore, has the advantage that it enables thebuilding of walls of considerably less thickness than would otherwise bepossible.

The block is preferably hollow and is formed with a central web 26 whichprovides inner and outer chambers 21 and 28, respectively. The saidchambers extend through and lengthwise of the block. Referring to'Figure7, it will be noted that owing to the construction of a wall in themanner described ,the chamber 28 of each block communicates with thecorresponding chambers of the two lower blocks and the correspondingchambers of the two upper blocks, thereby vproviding vertical airpassages through the wall. .In this connection it is to be understoodthat in the construction of the wall the lowermost course of blocks willbe supported in such a manner that air will be permitted to enter theair passages thus provided and that provision will likewise be made topermit such air to escape through the blocks of the top course. It willbe apparent, therefore, that the circulation of air through the outerchambers of the blocks will carry away any cold or damp air which mayenter them and will thus tend to prevent condensation of water in thechambers. should occur or water should seep through the outer walls intothese chambers it will drain oil through the passages provided by them.Penetration of water to the inner chambers 21 of the blocks is thusprevented. i

Each end wall of the block is formed with a channel 28a. The latter isadapted to cooperate with a corresponding channel in an end of anadjacent block to provide a drain passage to carry away any water whichmay enter the joint between the blocks. The passages thus providedcommunicate with the outer chambers 28 of adjacent blocks. Hence anywater entering the said passages will drain oil through the saidchambers.

The inner chamber 21 of the block is filled with a suitable insulatingmaterial 29. The latter, as best shown in Figure 4, is in the form of abat and is formed with a centrally located'slit 30 so that as it isinserted in the chamber 21 its ends will straddle the cross-piece 3| ofthe U- shaped member 22, the material at the inner end of the slitengaging the cross-piece to secure the bat in the desired position. Theinsulating material in the inner chamber seals the latter and preventsheat from being dissipated through the block.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the seepage of water or thepenetration of moist air to the inner face of the block'is prevented.The

finishing surface for the said face may, therefore,

If, however, any condensation be applied directly to the block therebyrendering the use of furring unnecessary.

I claim as my invention:

1. A structural block having a rib and groove formed at each end, thepositions of the rib and groove at one end being reversed with respectto the positions of the rib and groove at the opposite end, socketsformed in said ribs and means carried by said block and locatedcentrally with respect to the ends thereof'for'insertion in the socketsin the ribs of theadiacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connectsaid block mechanically to said last named blocks.

2. A structural block having a rib and a groove formed at each end, thepositions of the rib and groove at one end being reversed with respectto the positions of the rib and groove at the opposite end, socketsformed in said ribs and prongs carried'by said block, said prongsoccupying a vertical plane which is transverse with respect to thelength of the block and being located centrally with respect to the endsthereof for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of the adjacent ends ofa pair of blocks, whereby to connect said block mechanically to saidlast named blocks.

3. A structural block having a rib and a groove formed at each end, theposition of the rib and groove at one end being reversed with respect tothe positions of the rib and groove at the opposite end. sockets formedin said ribs and a U- shaped element carried by said block, said elementbeing arranged crosswise of the block and reinforcing the latter in suchdirection, being located centrally with respect to the ends thereof, andhaving legs for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of the adjacentends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said block mechanically tosaid last named blocks. 4. A structural block having a pair of ribsformed on its upper side and a pair of grooves formed in its under side,one of said ribs and one of said grooves having continuations formed onone end of the block and the other of said ribs and the other of saidgrooves having continuations formed on the other end of said block, thepositions of the rib and groove continuations at one end of the blockbeing reversed with respect to the positions of the rib and groovecontinuations at the opposite end, sockets formed in said ribcontinuations and means carried by said block and located centrally withrespect to the ends thereof for insertion inthe sockets in the rib ofthe adjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said blockmechanically to said last named blocks.

5. A structural block having a pair of ribs formed on its upper side anda pair of grooves formed in its under side, one of said ribs and one ofsaid grooves having continuations formed on one end of the block and theother of said ribs and the other of said grooves having continuationsformed on the other end of said block, the positions of the rib andgroove continuations at one end of the block being reversed with respectto the positions of the rib and groove continuations at the oppositeend, sockets formed in said rib continuations and prongs carried by said.the rib and groove at one end being reversed with respect tothepositions of the rib and groove at the opposite end, sockets-formedin said ribs and means cast in the side walls of said block to providecrosswise reinforcement and located centrally with respect to the endsthereof for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of the adjacent ends ofa pair of blocks, whereby to connect said block mechanically to saidlast named blocks.

7. A hollow structural block having a pair of ribs formed on its upperside and a pair of grooves formed in its under side, one of said ribsand one of said grooves having continuations formed on one end of theblock and the other of said ribs and the other of said grooves havingcontinuations formed on the other end of said block, the positions ofthe rib and groove continuations at one end of the block being reversedwith respect to the rib and groove continuations at the opposite end,sockets formed in said rib continuations, a U-shaped element cast in theside walls of ,said block to provide crosswise reinforcement and locatedcentrally of the ends thereof, said element having legs for insertion inthe sockets in the ribs of the adjacent ends of a pair of blocks,whereby to connect said block mechanically to said last named blocks.

8. A hollow structural block having a rib and groove formed on each end,the positions of the rib and groove at one end being reversed withrespect to the positions of the riband groove at the opposite end,sockets formed in said ribs, a U-shaped element cast in said block, saidelement being arranged crosswise of the block and reinforcing the latterin such direction, being located centrally with respect to the endsthereof, and having legs for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of theadjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said blockmechanically to said last named blocks and insulating material securedin said block by said element.

- 9. A hollow structural block having a rib and groove formed on eachend, the positions of the rib and groove atone end being reversed withrespect to the rib and groove at the opposite end, sockets formed insaid ribs, a U-shaped element cast in said block, said element beingarranged crosswise of the block and reinforcing the latter in suchdirection, being located centrally with respect to the ends thereof, andhaving legs for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of the adjacentends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said block mechanically tosaid last named blocks and a bat of insulating material in said block,said bat being slit to divide it into sections which straddle saidelement, the material at the end of said slit engaging said element tosecure the bat in said block.

10. A hollow structural block having a lengthwise extending web dividingthe interior into inner and outer chambers, said block having a rib andgroove'formed on each end, the positions of the rib and groove at oneend being reversed with respect to the positions of the rib and grooveat the opposite end, sockets formed in said ribs, a U-shaped elementcast in said block, said element passing through said web and connectingthe inner and outer walls of the block toprovide crosswisereinforcement, being located centrally with respect to the ends of theblock, and having legs for insertion in the sockets in the ribs of theadjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said blockmechanically to said last named blocks and insulating material securedin said inner chamber by said element.

11. A hollow structural block having a lengthwise extending web dividingthe interior into inner and outer chambers, said block having a pair ofribs formed on its upper side and a pair of grooves formed in its underside. one of the said ribs and one of said grooves having continuationsformed on one end of the block and the other of said ribs and the otherof said grooves having continuations formed on the the sockets in theribs of the adjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connect saidblock mechanically to said last named blocks and insulating materialsecured in said inner chamber by said means.

12. A hollow structural block having a lengthwise extending web dividingthe interior into inner and outer chambers, said block having a pair ofribs formed on its upper side and a pair of grooves formed in its underside, one of said ribs and one of said grooves having continuationsformed on one end of the block and the other of said ribs and the otherof said grooves having continuations formed on the other end of saidblock, the positionsoi' the rib and groove continuations at one end ofthe block being reversed with respect to the positions of .the rib andgroove continuations at the opposite end, sockets formed in said 'ribcontinuations, a U-shaped element cast in said block, said elementpassing through said web and connecting the inner and outer walls of theblock to provide crosswise reinforcement, being located centrally withrespect to the ends of the block, and having legs for insertion in thesockets in the ribs of the adjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby toconnect said block mechanically with said last named blocks andinsulating material secured in said inner chamber by said element.

13. A structural block having a rib and .a groove formed on each end,the positions of the rib and groove at one end being reversed withrespect to the positions of the rib and groove at the opposite end,sockets formed in said ribs, means carried by said block and locatedcentrally with respect to the ends thereof for insertion in the socketsin the ribs of the adjacent ends of a pair of blocks, whereby to connectsaid block mechanically to said last named blocks and drainage channelsformed in the ends of said block between'said ribs and grooves.

14. A hollow structural block having a lengthwise extending web dividingthe interior into inner and outer channels, said block having a pair ofribs formed on its upper side and a pair of grooves formed in its underside, one of said ribs and one of said grooveshaving continuationsformed on one end of the block and the other of said ribs and the, otherof said grooves having continuations formed on the other end of saidblock, the positions of the rib and groove continuations at one end ofthe block being reversed with respect to the positions of the rib andgroove continuations at the opposite end, sockets formed in.said ribcontinuations, a U-shaped element cast in said block, said elementpassing through said web and connecting the inner and outer mechanicallywith said last named blocks, drainwails of the block to providecrosswise reinforceage channels formed in the ends of the block bement,being located centrally with respect to the tween the rib and groovecontinuations and inends of the block, and having legs for insertionsulating material secured in said inner cham 5 in the sockets in theribs of the adjacent ends of by said element. 5

a pair of blocks, whereby to connect said block JEREMIAH J. OLEARY.

